SA20: Joe Root masterclass guides Paarl Royals to victory in epic run-chase

Root was unbeaten on 92 from 60 balls while debutant Rubin Hermann hit 56 and captain David Miller was 48 not out as the visitors produced an epic run-chase to silence the capacity crowd.

After the home team had posted 212-5, the Royals lost in-form 18-year-old Lhuan-dre Pretorius off the first ball of the innings.

It did not matter much as Hermann came to the crease to join Root and the pair put were in explosive mood, putting on ac 125-run partnership off just 69 balls for the second wicket.

The left-handed Hermann stroked 56 off 33 deliveries that included five fours and three sixes before seamer Jimmy Neesham (1-40) made the breakthrough in the 12th over.

The partnership laid the perfect platform for Royals skipper David Miller to come in and have flourish of his own and the Proteas batter duly obliged hitting an unbeaten 48 off 24 balls.

Miller and Root added an unbroken 88 off 48 balls with the English international hitting eleven fours and two sixes as the visitors won with two balls to spare.

Earlier, the Capitals' total was built around another Englishman, Will Smeed, who was making his SA20 debut and hit 54 off 34 balls.

There were further contributions from Afghanistan opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz (42 off 29 balls) before he was bowled by international teammate Mujeeb Ur Rahman (2-28) while Kyle Verreynne struck 42 off 23 deliveries.

READ MORE: SA U19 Women open T20 World Cup campaign on a winning note